4 Seasons Architecture: Desert

Elif Ayse Sen13 April 20222 Mins read339

A desert climate or arid climate is a climate whose vegetation consists of shrubs and xeric grasses, receives little rainfall and does not meet the criteria to be classified as an arctic climate. In such a challenging climate, architectural productions are to work in a challenging context. This article is about desert architecture, the second of the 4 Seasons Architecture Series. You can see examples of architecture made in accordance with the desert climate below.

One of the most important things to consider is to produce solutions that will protect the buildings from the extreme hot air during the day and the cold at night in this climate. It is important to produce all these solutions in harmony with the geography, sustainable and with a modern interpretation of traditional methods.

Element House

The first example is a sustainable building design in the desert. We will talk about the project called Element House designed by MOS Architects in the New Mexico desert. Element House consists of cool and energy efficient prefabricated building modules despite the hot climate of its geography. In addition to its self-sufficiency and sustainability, which are its most important features, it is an innovative housing project with an open housing plan.

4 Seasons Architecture: Desert 2 — Photo Source: Museum of Outdoor Arts Element House / MOS Architects | ArchDaily

The insulation boards used in this prefabricated building, designed as modules, protect the interior from the heat of the desert. 9 thermal chimneys provide energy efficiency by acting as a channel that will take the hot air away from the interior. This innovative house project in passive energy standards is one of the best examples of desert architecture.

4 Seasons Architecture: Desert 3 — Photo Source: Museum of Outdoor Arts Element House / MOS Architects | ArchDaily

School of Technology

The next example is a public building from Morocco, the distinguished country of the African continent. Laayoune School of Technology building includes classrooms, workshops, amphitheaters), library, administrative offices, teachers’ offices and services (care areas, staff accommodation programs.

saad el kabbaj laayoune technology school full — Photo Source: Laayoune Technology School by El Kabbaj Kettani Siana Architects | Floornature

The building is designed to allow natural ventilation and lighting to provide energy efficiency. In a way that creates a sense of urbanism, external roads, squares, covered squares and mineral gardens are connected to each other. Retaining wall steel beams give dimension to the structure adding depth and unique look. Laayoune Technology School is a very successful example of desert architecture in terms of both landscaping and building form.

saad el kabbaj laayoune technology school full 2 — Photo Source: Laayoune Technology School by El Kabbaj Kettani Siana Architects | Floornature

Visitor Center

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Volubilis visitor center is located within the most visited archaeological site in the Kingdom of Morocco. The aim of the architects who designed the building is to increase this historical heritage and its importance.

4 Seasons Architecture: Desert 4 — Photo Source: Volubilis Visitor Center / OUALALOU+CHOI | ArchDaily

To emphasize the impressive visual impact of the ancient ruins at the entrance to the site, the volume of the museum is placed inside the hillside. This building, which is one of the best examples of desert architecture with its harmony and unity with geography, is not perceived at first glance. The landscape design of the project consists of successive wooden volumes along an extended retaining wall.